Would You Ever Pay That?
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (103155)
United States
July 10, 2025 9:22am CST
Classic cars are a lot of fun to look at, and there's a place close to us next to Menard's that operates like both a dealership of classic cars as well as a museum. Every once in a while, it's fun to walk through and see what's new...
Or old depending on your perspective.
On one such occasion we came across this beautiful 1970 Pontiac GTO. What floored me more than the sleek and badass appearance of the car was the price tag that was on it.
$305,000!
I am not sure exactly what made this particular GTO so pricey. I've seen others much cheaper and in similar condition. The interior was mostly original, but you could tell some significant updates were made to "modernize" it. Normally that takes value off something like this rather than adds to it.
Then again, maybe it was original. I am not an afficionado.
It was listed with an LS3 V8 engine with a manual transmission. It came with air conditioning, AM/FM radio, custom wheels, power brakes and power steering.
I'm pretty sure power brakes and steering weren't standard in 1970. I could be wrong.
It did say it was an 8-year restoration project but had many "updates" like performance goodies and a 6-speed transmission. I think the originals only had 4 on the floor, but again, I could be wrong about that.
Either way, if you had the money, would you ever pay that for this?
11 people like this
11 responses
@Vikingswest1 (6638)
• United States
10 Jul
Never. Even if I were filthy rich.
However, if it were a completely restored 1967 GTO ragtop, I'd consider, lol
4 people like this
@Vikingswest1 (6638)
• United States
10 Jul
@porwest
I had a friend that had one. It was beefy, loud and quick off the line. It was his baby. He was pulling out of work one day and didn't see the truck coming at 55mph.
It happened a year out of HS. He left a wife and small child.
I have always loved that style of GTO's.
I almost bought one back in 1985 or so. I was ready to buy it. It DID need some body work but ran like a top. I am glad I looked more closely. It was driven in Minnesota winters. Rusted out frame, bondo filled quarter panels, hood and trunk. I didn't buy it.
1 person likes this
@porwest (103155)
• United States
11 Jul
@Vikingswest1 So many tragic stories like that. And so young to boot and just really starting off in life. But yes, I like the styling too. Wouldn't necessarily be my first choice, but also not my last. Makes you wonder if you had bought it what it might be worth to someone who would want to restore it? Or, if you had restored it, what you could have potentially fetched for it.
2 people like this
@porwest (103155)
• United States
10 Jul
Me either. Hell, for one thing I'd be terrified to drive it. That's a lot of money sharing the road with crazies with their faces buried in cell phones or eating a Big Mac on the go. There are many classic cars I could afford and would love to own. But it's the practical side of me that doesn't allow me to do it.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (76586)
• United States
10 Jul
I wouldn’t pay $305,000 for anything. My house was less than $40,000 when I bought it, and it pains me that the next car I buy (if I have to buy a “next one”) will cost that much. As my dear mother of blessed memory used to say, “Our name’s not Rockefeller.” 
1 person likes this
@porwest (103155)
• United States
6h
@FourWalls I was in real estate for a spell. I had to buy several. lol
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (194339)
• United States
15h
@porwest Yup. I've never been big on expensive cars.
1 person likes this
@porwest (103155)
• United States
9h
@LindaOHio Me either. The ONLY way I could see buying something like this would be if one fully expected it to be worth more in the future. Then you could justify it as being an investment. Other than that, I think it would be a total waste of money.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (91507)
• Bangalore, India
10 Jul
Well, you need to be filthy rich and have interest in antique cars to pay for that kind of price. I can never imagine paying that kind of money.
1 person likes this
@porwest (103155)
• United States
9h
@arunima25 The ONLY way buying something like this MIGHT make sense is if the person buying it expects it to be worth more at some point in the future. But that would be the only reason. In that sense, it would be an investment.
@arunima25 (91507)
• Bangalore, India
14h
@porwest Even if one is wealthy, it should be something that interests them.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (153020)
• United States
10 Jul
No, I love looking at rebuilt cars but I'll never spend that kind of money on one. I like to drive but, as long as the car can get me where I need to go and home again, I'm happy with it.
I have a friend who restores cars and he's got one he's been working on for five years that he calls his baby... 
With it still not finished, he's asking over $100,000 for it... I just can't see it but people come over and talk about it with him for hours... I can't find that much to say about a car!
With it still not finished, he's asking over $100,000 for it... I just can't see it but people come over and talk about it with him for hours... I can't find that much to say about a car!
@sw8sincere (5816)
• Philippines
10 Jul
That’s a great story and an even greater price tag! 
1 person likes this
